Method of treating granulated cork.



LQUIS L. BENTLEY, F BEAM FALLS, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSEGNQR T0 ARMSTEZQNG- CQRK. CUMPANY, 0F PITTSBURG'H, PEHNSYLVANHA, A. GORPQRATIO-N O1? PENN- Patented 23, lit-1G,

SYLVAMA.

HETHQD all GRANULATED CORK.

lld da ill 'lla Specification of Letters latcnt.

Ho Drawing,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Louis L. BENTLEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Beaver Falls, in thecounty of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Method of Treating Granulated Cork, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

. My invention relates tothe making oi granulated cork into cement blocks or articles, and is designed to improve present methods by obtaining a larger expansion of the cork under treatment, thus giving more volume of product, and also to avoid liability to burning or charring of the granules.

A further object is to improve the insulating qualities of the cork block or article by decreasing its specific gravity and increasing the cell formation therein,

in carrying out my invention, I place the natural granulated cork in a closed, airtight vessel, and then exhaust the air theretrom to give a partial vacuum; this vacuurn preferably being carried out as far as ordinary commercial vacuum methods apply or are practicable. The cork is then heated in the vessel, preferably being agitated during heating by rotating the vessel or giving it some movement. The heating is carried to a point Where pressure is accumulated in the vessel, due to the formation of steam from the natural moisture and vapors in the cork. As an example, heating may be continued until a pressure is generated of thirty to a hundred pounds or more. After this heating and obtaining of pressure, the pressure is suddenly released, causing an expansion of the cells to such an extent that the specific gravity may he reduced about 50%, with a corresponding increase in the volume -of the cork, provided space is allowed for expansion,

' It the vessel is practically tilled with granulated cork, thus preventing any material expansion, the cork will tend to expand somewhat during the application or heat and pressure, and when the pressure is suddently released, the sudden expansion oi the cells will cause an expansive action hetvveen the cells, thus cementing and compressing the granules together and forming the article in place. In other Words, in such case, the natural expansion on the release of pressure is prevented and results in a com= application filed lt'ovember $5, 191%, Serial lte. erases.

ression of the granules into cemented article. By this method of cementing under the heat and pressure following the vacuum, the resinous materials of the cork are all retained Within the mass, thus utilizing them fully for their cementing action between the granules and cells.

Following the heating of the cork Within the vacuum receptacle, i also preferably introduce superheated steam under pressure of, for example, pounds, with a temperature of 7 50 degrees Fahrenheit; the sudden release of pressure following or succeeding the application of superheated steam. The heat will be disseminated. throughout the 7 mass by reason of the steam generated u h in the mass, and this Will be further carried out by the superheated steam admitted, it this step is also used.

if it is desired to obtain the maximum till only a part of the vessel; While it they ubstantially fill the vessel, a strong coinpressive cementing action is obtained, A further advantage flows from the use of the vacuum or partial vacuum which largely p reventsthe action of the air upon the material contained.

Many changes may be made in the form and apparatus used and the steps of the process Without departing from myinvention y I claim:

'1, The method of treating cork, which consists in inclosing cork granules in an inclosing vessel, applying heat to the vessel and thereby setting up a pressure Within the confined mass due to the vaporization moisture and other vaporizable contained in the cork, and then suddei releasing the pressure to cause an erpansxn of the said particles; substantially as described, I

2.' The method or? treating granulated cork, consisting in inclosing Within an Mid air-tight vessel, applying a vacuum or partial vacuum, setting up pressure therein by heating the cork, and then suddenly releasing the pressure, Substantially as described.

3. The inethod of treating anulated cork, consisting in heating it Wit in a ves-. sel in which a partial vacuum is formed, substantially as described.

4. The method of treating granulated I cork, consisting in inclosing it. withm a re-' ceptacle, settings-1p pressure therein b heating the cork, a 'tting a heating flui such 7 as superhcated steam, and then suddenly releasing the pressure, substantially as described.

q 5. The method of treating granulated.

cork, consisting in feeding it into an air tight receptacle, setting up at least apar tial vacuum therein, heating the cork to set up pressure ithin the receptacle, feeding a hot fluid such as superheated steam into the receptacle, and suddenly releasing the pressure, substantially as described.

6. The method of treating cork, which consists in inclosing cork granules in an inclosing" vessel, applying heat to the vessel and thereby setting up a pressure within" the confined mass due to the vaporizationof moisture and other vaporizable-materials contained in the cork, then suddenly releasing the pressure to cause an expansion of the said'particles, and then forming a partial vacuum in said vessel to cause a further expansion. of the cork particles; substantially as described.

7. The herein described method of treat-- ing cork, which consists in inclosing-corkgranules within anmclosmg vessel, creating a partial vacuum within said vessel, applying heat to the vessel to thereby, set up a granules within an inclosing vessel, creating 1 a partial vacuum within said vessel, apply ing heat to the vessel tothereby set up a- 5 1 pressure within the confined mass due'to th vaporization of the moisture and othe1' -v;w

porizable material contained in the 'cork.

then suddenly releasing the pressure, and

then again creatinlf a partial vacuum insaid 55 vessel; substantia y as described;

9. The method of cork, which consists in inclosing cork granules in an, inclosing vessel in which they are capable oflimitin'g the expansion applying heat to 5 I the vessel to thereby set up a pressure w the confined mass, and then suddenly a ing the premix expansion of th andut1]1zmg""-thesu cork articles within 51% confined space .to the" y cement them together; substantially as described. I

In testimonywhereof,,-I have hereunto set. my hand.

LOUIS L. BENTLEY. Witnesses:

MAn'i'm L. Mooney, East R. Lama. 

